24 September 2026
Ruruka wins BeChangeMaker 2026
The five teams pitched their innovations in front of delegates at WorldSkills Conference 2026. But there could be only one winner.
After a closely fought finale, Ruruka from Paraguay was crowned winner of BeChangeMaker 2026 with their innovation that transforms industrial sludge into sustainable building materials.
Presenting live to delegates at WorldSkills Conference 2026, each of the five finalist teams had five minutes to pitch their innovation to a panel of three judges, and a further three minutes to answer questions. As well as laying out their idea succinctly, they needed to show how their innovations could tackle a pressing social or economic challenge.
Ruruka was voted the winner by the audience and the panel. The team’s pitch described how they are using data collection to help industries understand the type of sludge they are producing, its chemical composition, and its carbon or methane emissions. They have already completed pilots with 6 industries in the country, turning 22 tonnes of waste into 100,000 sustainable bricks.
Carmen Paredes from Ruruka was overwhelmed to have won. Speaking about the programme, she said, “It has been very interesting. I have really appreciated the networking and the insights that people have shared with us. Our mentors were so supportive, and I feel like a lot of effort was made to really understand us.”
When reflecting on the impact she wants to have, she said, “I am so proud to have represented Paraguay, which is a very underrepresented country. I would love for my work to help more Paraguayans and more women show the world that a small country like us can create a solution that can change the whole world.”
The five finalists competing for the title were:
- Empals (India): an app providing early, accessible support for children with ADHD, dyslexia, and autism
- Polaris Safety (China): AI-powered personal safety software for women, using route and venue safety data
- Ridan AI (India): a behavioural AI app tackling social media addiction in children
- Ruruka (Paraguay): sustainable construction materials made from industrial sludge
- Vivian (Mexico): an AI digital interpreter translating Spanish into Mexican Sign Language
Since its launch in 2017, BeChangeMaker has grown into a global programme. This year’s edition received 700 applications from 77 countries and regions. All teams selected for the programme say they come away with more confidence and improved business skills to take their idea further.
None of this would be possible without the network of organizations behind BeChangeMaker. The programme is powered by WorldSkills and the HP Foundation, and supported by UNESCO-UNEVOC, with additional partners including PEN WorldWide, UNIDO, World YMCA, and the Yunus Environment Hub. Each partner has contributed expertise to help these young entrepreneurs turn their ideas into impact.
After ten successful years, the programme will now be handed over to YMCA Europe.
Jessica Woitalla, Project Manager from YMCA Europe, spoke at the event, saying, “Over ten years, WorldSkills with its partners have built BeChangeMaker into a truly global opportunity for young social entrepreneurs.”
She continued, “I want to say thank you, WorldSkills, for your vision, leadership, and stewardship. Thank you for the trust and confidence you have placed in us to carry BeChangeMaker into this next chapter. Our intention is not to leave behind what has made BeChangeMaker special, but to build upon it.”
Oliver Dubois du Bellay, Partnership Programmes Manager at WorldSkills International, reflects on the last decade, saying, “BeChangeMaker started with a handful of teams and a handful of partners willing to bet on young social entrepreneurs. Ten years on, this support has helped hundreds of young people grow their businesses and develop ideas that will support a more secure and sustainable future for us all. It just goes to show the impact we can have when we empower skilled young people.”